CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has identified Cebu having the most number of barangays that susceptible to landslides and flooding based on the geohazard mapping conducted by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.
Ed Llamedo, public information officer of the DENR-7, however said the figure is not alarming.
Llamedo said there were over 3,000 barangays in Central Visayas that were subjected to geohazard assessment by the MGB.
The barangays were categorized as susceptible for either landslides, flooding or flashfloods with severity depending on the level. The mapping shows that Cebu has the most number of barangays that are prone to either landslide or flooding.
“There are slightly over 1,600 barangays in Cebu and less than 15 percent or less than 240 barangays are prone to either landslides or flooding,” Llamedo said.
There are five barangays in Cebu City that are most prone to flooding: Kasambagan, Kinasang-an, Labangon, Mabolo and Bonbon.
In Mandaue City, there are seven barangays susceptible to flooding: Subangdaku, Mantuyong, Umapad, Opao, Alang-alang, Guizo and Paknaan.
The 19 barangays in Cebu City that are highly susceptible to landslides are Lusaran, Binaliw, Guba, Budlaan, Malubog, Buot-Taup, Busay, Sirao, Taptap, Tag-bao, Tabunan, Pung-ol Sibugay, Sudlon l, Sinsin, Buhisan, Pamutan, Sapangdaku and Adlaon.
There are six landslide-susceptible barangays in Naga City, 11 barangays in Balamban, five barangays in Toledo City, 12 barangays in Catmon and all mountain barangays in Talisay City.
Other areas that should prepare for possible landslides are Barangays Doldol and Purok 3 in Dumanjug and Barangay Cansalonoy in Ronda.
Llamedo said the list that they have submitted to the different Local Government Units in the region will serve as their guides on what measures to take to prevent loss of lives during calamities.
Apart from furnishing LGUs with the list of critical barangays to natural disasters, the DENR-7 geologists also placed recommendations on what LGUs should do to ensure the safety of the people in these areas, Llamedo said. — (FREEMAN)